Instant Analysis: Minnesota 2, U.S. Under-18 Team 2

Instant analysis of Minnesota's 2-2 overtime tie against the U.S. Under-18 team.

Christian Horn Gets into the Act

Christian Horn made his first appearance in a Gopher sweater tonight and put his name on the score sheet. He was active from the very start. On his first shift, Christian found the puck in the low-slot area and sent the shot just wide of U.S. Under-18 goaltender Thatcher Demko. In the second period, Horn got the lone assist on Tom Serratore's power-play goal, which got the Gophers on the board for the first time in the game. Horn has been heralded for his play-making ability and he made a good pass to find Serratore for the goal.

Response From the Slow Start

The Gophers trailed 2-0 heading into the second period. From there, they responded well in the middle frame as the increased the physical play. They were helped when Mike McCarron hit Zach Budish from behind. McCarron received a five-minute major and a game misconduct. The Gophers were able to convert on the power play when Christian Horn found Tom Serratore open in the slot to fire home the team's first goal. Nick Bjugstad tied the game up later in the period. When the period was all set and done, the Gophers had out shot the U.S. Under-18 team by a 20-5 margin in the period.

Shibrowski's Bounce Back

Mike Shibrowski preformed well tonight. It was his first appearance since being pulled in Houghton, Mich. a week ago. After giving up two goals in the first period, Mike played well in a tight game. The U.S. Under-18 team had good chances throughout the game. In a close game where one bounce can be the difference in the game, Shibrowski dealt with a lot of pucks that came in at odd speeds and at weird angles. He was matched by U.S. Under-18 goaltender Thatcher Demko, who made 39 saves.

Gophers Host Canisius on Saturday

The Gophers will return to NCAA action on Sunday afternoon at Mariucci Arena against Canisius. The Gophers will again face a top-notch goaltender in Tony Capobianco. In the young season, he has compiled a 1.98 GAA and a .933 SV%. The Golden Griffins have just one win this season, over Alaska Fairbanks, but they have a two close losses against Western Michigan. Canisius also tied Air Force on Thursday night.